Stoke want to put a new managerial structure in place, which will involve a head coach working alongside their technical director, Mark Cartwright.

We understand Cartwright is championing Brighton manager Gus Poyet to replace Pulis, but moves have been held up because the Uruguayan is currently suspended by the Championship club, leaving his future in limbo.

Stoke would also like to speak to Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, whose future is in doubt following Latics' relegation to the Championship.

Pulis said: “Although I am disappointed, I do understand what he (Coates) means when he says the Board feels a need to take the Club in a different direction.

“I have enjoyed some wonderful times at Stoke City and nobody was prouder than me when, after 23 years of exile from top-flight football we gained Barclays Premier League status.

“Of course, having reached the top, you then have to find a way to stay there and develop a strategy for a Club that had no infrastructure in place to compete with the top Championship clubs we had left behind, never mind the top Premier League clubs.

“Over the past five years we have created history by being the only team in this Club’s 150 years existence to remain out of the bottom six in top-flight football for five consecutive seasons.

“Within our five-year period in the Barclays Premier League, we have featured in four major cup quarter-finals, an FA Cup semi-final and an FA Cup Final.

“Further, we have encountered, progressed and reached the later stages of a major European cup competition, only to lose out to Spanish giants Valencia.

“During this great run of success on the pitch the Club has also been involved in the building and development of a training ground that now compares to any in the Barclays Premier League.

“Also, the Britannia Stadium has been revamped and now hosts and looks after virtually full-houses of the Club’s great supporters every other week. Peter, his family and I have enjoyed every inch of the journey; he has been truly a fantastic man to work with.

“In leaving I am very proud of what we have all achieved. My immediate staff lead by David Kemp, my backroom staff and all the training ground staff have been absolutely wonderful.

“To the supporters who have, and rightly so, been congratulated for their outstanding support especially at the Britannia and finally to all the players who have worked under me during the seven year tenure, I give my thanks for what has been a wonderful adventure.”

We revealed on Monday that Pulis, 55, had gone because the club wanted to move towards more youth development and self-sufficiency and, most significantly, away from their current, direct style of football.